Make Your Own Natural Sunscreen
Following on from my previous articles where I talked about not getting enough sunshine and therefore not enough vitamin D, and how safe sunscreens are (or aren’t), today I’m going to look at natural alternatives to sunscreens.
The good part about making your own natural sunscreen, is that you know exactly what goes into it. However, the commercial sunscreens do have an advantage – they block more of the sun’s rays. So be safe – if you use your own homemade natural sunscreen, don’t assume you can stay out all day in the full sun!
There are three main ingredients in natural, homemade sunscreen:
- oil, so you can smooth it over your skin,
- a natural moisturizer to protect your skin, and
- (optionally) a scent.
Oil: choose from sesame, coconut, jojoba or olive oil – ideally, organic and unrefined. To moisturise, choose from aloe vera, shea butter and grapefruit seed extract. Add essential oils for scent. Mix / blend well, and you have your own natural sunscreen!
For added protection against burning, you could also add some zinc oxide to the mixture if you are comfortable with it.
Again, be aware that this type of natural sunscreen may not be as effective against burning as commercially available potions. But you know what goes into it.
Other Sun Protection Tips
Moderation: Remember, as a general rule we are not getting enough vitamin D. You need sunscreen, but not all the time. Remember to spend short amounts of time in the sun without sunscreen – gradually build up your exposure time depending on how sensitive your skin is to the sun. Spending time in the sun makes you feel better too!
Impregnated Clothing: You can buy clothing impregnated with chemicals to protect you from the sun and bugs. (Personally, I would not wear such clothing – mainly because I don’t know the ingredients, plus I would lose track of how many times I washed it so I could not be sure if it still offered protection). But it sells well, and I believe it is used in the military.
Eating Well Helps: Try to eat plenty of dark green, red, and yellow fruits and vegetables, to keep your skin healthy and less prone to skin damage. Eating fewer processed foods and drinks is better for your health in general, but there is some evidence to show that eating quality fresh food and drinking lots of water can also help to protect your skin against sunburn. Green tea is also good for skin cancer protection.
Reverse your Thinking: Consider how healthy you are from the inside out instead of the outside in.
Ouch! If you do end up with sunburn, consider natural, eco-friendly relief. Aloe Vera gel is soothing, and a soothing oatmeal bath can also be helpful.
What About Men? I was surprised to read a survey which showed that almost 80 percent of women wear sunscreen, while only 34 percent of men do. (That got me wondering – do more men get skin cancer? Do women spend more time in the sun than men? Is men’s skin better protected? I don’t know the answers, but I found it fascinating).
The Difference between Sunscreen and Sunblock
I was asked a great question – when does sunscreen become sunblock? In theory, mineral-based sunscreen is normally sunblock as it reflects the sun’s rays away from you, while the more traditional chemical lotions are sunscreens. In theory, sunscreen allows you to tan, while sunblock does not. Both reduce your ability to produce vitamin D. However, today many lotions contain both chemicals and minerals, and so the terms have become more loosely applied.
In my final post tomorrow in this series on sunscreens, I will look at tips to help to protect children – from new-borns to teens.
More Tips:
Sunscreen / sunblock – what’s it all about?
References:
Skin Cancer Foundation, Environmental Working Group, Wikipedia, Organic Make-up Canada, Zen to Fitness, Alternative Consumer, Green Footsteps, PETA, Peak Testosterone, Foreueblog.com, Time Magazine, Skin Care Hub, Wise Geek, Pediatric Career, Holistic, Green Living Ideas, Pure Energy Wellness, Natural Living for Women, L A Times, Eco Life, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, cancer.gov
Photo Credits: Woman at beach: microsoft.com Man at Beach Microsoft.com / Corbis.
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Lucy and I just went for a bike ride yesterday and she got burned on the face. She doesn’t like those commercial sunscreen for the reasons you described, so I will let her know about your recipe. It’s hard to wear a hat when one is wearing a bike helmet also; this will help.
LOL! Yes, definitely difficult to wear a hat with a helmet! And helmets are great, but they don’t protect your neck from the sun. Play around with the quantities in the recipe until you find the right consistency – we;re all different. Thanks for sharing!
I never thought about making my own sunscreen!
It sounds fun and a great idea!
Thanks eco-expert!
Those are some really good tips on making your own sunscreen. I would have never thought of those.
Thanks!
I didn’t know how easy it was to make your own sunscreen. I guess sunscreen safety and men don’t really mix. Then again, I don’t lay out to get a tan either. I always wear a hat and at least short sleeves.
Great ideas. I never wear any store bought sunscreen or lotion. Most are completely toxic! My advice is if you can’t or shouldn’t eat it, then don’t put it on your skin. It is absorbed into your bloodstream at some point. The zinc oxide is very effective. Just need to reapply. Also, an antioxidant rich diet will give you much protection. The shade works well also! Thanks for the tips!
Anthony
Some folks just under estimate the power of the sun . Cloudy days are where most people get badly burnt . Especially as we head into spring in the southern hemisphere .
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